The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced this historic milestone, marking the first-ever collection of samples from this mysterious lunar region…reports Asian Lite News
China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe has achieved a historic feat by landing on the far side of the Moon and embarking on a groundbreaking mission to collect samples from this rarely explored terrain, Chinese State media reported on Sunday.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced this milestone, marking the first time in human history that samples will be gathered from this enigmatic region of the lunar surface.
With the support of the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, the Chang’e-6 lander-ascender combination successfully touched down at the designated landing site within the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin. This region, nestled on the far side of the Moon, presents a unique and challenging landscape for scientific exploration, as reported by Xinhua.
Comprising an orbiter, a returner, a lander, and an ascender, Chang’e-6 has undergone a meticulously planned journey since its launch on May 3 of this year. From the stages of Earth-Moon transfer to near-Moon braking, lunar orbiting, and finally, the descent to the lunar surface, each step has been executed with precision by the CNSA.
The chosen landing site, the Apollo Basin, holds immense scientific potential for exploration. Huang Hao, a space expert from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), explained that the decision to target the Apollo Basin was influenced by its scientific significance and favourable landing conditions.
Despite the rugged terrain characteristic of the far side of the Moon, the relatively flat surface of the Apollo Basin offers an ideal location for landing and subsequent sampling operations.
Following the successful landing, Chang’e-6 is poised to commence its sampling mission, scheduled to be completed within two days. Employing two distinct methods, the probe will collect samples both from the subsurface using a drill and from the lunar surface using a robotic arm.
Jin Shengyi, another esteemed space expert from the CASC, revealed the meticulous preparations undertaken by the Chang’e-6 development team to ensure the success of the sampling process.
A simulation lab was established in advance, replicating the lunar environment and conditions surrounding the landing site. Through this simulation, sampling strategies and equipment control procedures were meticulously crafted and verified, ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of the mission.
Despite the challenges posed by the Moon’s obstruction, which results in a shorter Earth-Moon communication window on the far side, the Chang’e-6 mission is poised to optimise efficiency through autonomous operations.
Jin elaborated on the intelligent capabilities incorporated into Chang’e-6, allowing the probe to execute instructions and make judgments autonomously, thus reducing the need for constant Earth-based intervention.
In a significant advancement, the Chang’e-6 mission aims to streamline operations by significantly reducing the number of instructions sent from ground control.
With an anticipated reduction from approximately 1,000 to 400 instructions throughout the sampling process, Chang’e-6 epitomises the advancements in autonomous space exploration, Xinhua reported. (ANI)
Alongside the breathtaking auroras, concerns loom over potential disruptions to Earth’s communications networks, tonight and into the weekend
A remarkable celestial event is underway as a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections dazzle the skies, potentially extending the spectacle as far south as Alabama and Northern California. However, alongside the breathtaking auroras, concerns loom over potential disruptions to Earth’s communications networks, tonight and into the weekend, CNN reported.
The rarity of this solar storm harks back to October 2003, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center, marking a significant celestial occurrence not witnessed in many years.
Bill Nye, the Science Guy, voiced apprehension regarding the implications of the solar storm on our technologically reliant society. Drawing parallels to the Carrington Event of 1859, Nye emphasised the vulnerability posed by our heavy dependence on electricity and electronics, underscoring the potential ramifications should disruptions occur, as reported by CNN.
Despite existing mitigation measures, Nye cautioned that not all infrastructure, particularly transformers, may be adequately equipped to withstand the onslaught of such a solar event, leaving room for unforeseen complications.
Amidst an otherwise tranquil week, most regions of the Lower 48 States enjoy clear skies, offering prime viewing opportunities for the northern lights. However, some areas are less fortunate, with cloud cover obstructing the spectacle. From the Northeast to the Midwest, and parts of Texas and Louisiana, patches of clouds threaten to obscure the celestial display.
The ongoing geomagnetic storm has escalated to an “extreme” level, rated 5 out of 5 by the Space Weather Prediction Center, marking a significant escalation in solar activity not witnessed since 2003.
This surge in solar activity manifests in the form of mesmerising auroras, illuminating Earth’s poles with vivid displays of colour. However, the heightened solar activity also poses risks to communication networks, satellite operations, and high-frequency radio communications, prompting vigilance from authorities, including the Biden administration, according to CNN.
Scientists caution that the surge in solar flares and coronal mass ejections emanating from the sun could disrupt communications on Earth well into the weekend. The sun, currently in a phase of heightened activity known as solar maximum, is expected to continue its robust performance through mid-to-late 2024.
Solar cycles, characterised by fluctuations in sunspot activity, dictate the sun’s behaviour, transitioning from periods of relative calm to intense activity and back again. The current cycle, Solar Cycle 25, has exceeded expectations in terms of activity, with NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center noting an uptick in sunspot counts compared to the previous cycle’s peak.
This heightened activity has been accompanied by potent solar flares and coronal mass ejections, phenomena that can disrupt Earth’s ionosphere, impacting communications and GPS systems with immediate effect. Additionally, spacecraft and astronauts face risks from energetic particles released by the sun, necessitating robust protection measures, CNN reported. (ANI)
Taking forward the country’s “walk to space”, ISRO started 2024 with a big announcement as the space agency declared the names of four astronauts for its Gaganyaan mission, which is India’s first human space flight programme. Besides Gaganyaan-1 programme, the ISRO also unveiled a compelling line-up of several other ground-breaking missions in 2024 … writes Dr Satish Sharma
Indian space odyssey touched a new high in 2023 after it became the first country to successfully soft land an unmanned spacecraft on the moon’s south pole with its Chandrayaan-3 mission.
India’s space research agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), also attracted international admiration after it successfully conducted the Aditya-L1 mission to observe the dynamics of the Sun’s chromosphere and corona last year.
India’s union cabinet recently passed a resolution on the success of the lunar mission, calling it a victory for the country as well as ISRO.
Chandrayaan-3 mission’s success also received appreciation from the global leaders.
Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Aditya-L1, India’s maiden solar mission, on board PSLV-C57 lifts off from the launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre. (Photo: IANS/R. Parthi bhan)
Taking forward the country’s “walk to space”, ISRO started 2024 with a big announcement as the space agency declared the names of four astronauts for its Gaganyaan mission, which is India’s first human space flight programme.
Besides Gaganyaan-1 programme, the ISRO also unveiled a compelling line-up of several other ground-breaking missions in 2024.
India’s space research agency’s ventures — from probing the mysteries of cosmic X-rays to launching India’s first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite — have promised to redefine the understanding of Earth, explore the depths of space, and set the stage for unprecedented human spaceflight.
PSLV-C58 with XPoSat
ISRO’s 2024 started with the successful launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C58) carrying XPoSat, the country’s first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite.
The Indian space research agency lifted off PSLV-C58, which successfully launched XPoSat satellite into an Eastward low inclination orbit on January 01.
ISRO’s PSLV-C58 carrying an X-ray polarimeter satelite and 10 other satelites lifts off from the spaceposrt of Sriharikota. (IANS/ISRO)
According to ISRO, X-ray Polarimeter Satellite or XPoSat is the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources.
It carries two payloads namely POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing), as per ISRO.
ISRO said the main objectives of this mission include measuring polarisation of X-rays in the energy band 8-30keV emanating from about 50 potential cosmic sources, carrying out long term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources in the energy band 0.8-15keV, and conducting polarisation and spectroscopic measurements of X-ray emissions from cosmic sources.
NISAR
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission represents a pathbreaking collaboration between India’s ISRO and the United States’ NASA.
According to ISRO, NISAR is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory being jointly developed by the two leading space agencies.
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath During A Press Conference After The Successful Soft Landing Of Chandrayaan-3
NISAR’s dual band (L and S) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) will map the entire globe in 12 days and provide spatially and temporally consistent data for understanding changes in Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, sea level rise, ground water and natural hazards including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides, says ISRO.
The mission was scheduled to be launched in January this year, but some modifications to a large deployable antenna on the radar spacecraft will delay its launch, likely to the second half of the year, according to a Space News report.
GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS
The launch of the GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission was accomplished on February 17.
According to ISRO, the GSLV, in its 16th mission, aims at deploying the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
ISRO’s meteorological satellite INSAT-3DS aboard GSLV-F14 at the spaceport of Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. (Photo IANS@isro)
INSAT-3DS is a crucial communication satellite within the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) series, and its primary mission is to monitor Earth’s surface, carry out Oceanic observations and its environment in various spectral channels of meteorological importance, provide the vertical profile of various meteorological parameters of the Atmosphere, provide the Data Collection and Data Dissemination capabilities from the Data Collection Platforms (DCPs), and provide Satellite Aided Search and Rescue services.
Gaganyaan 1
In a collaborative effort between ISRO and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Gaganyaan-1 mission envisages demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching crew members to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission and bring them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters.
According to ISRO, the project is accomplished through an optimal strategy by considering inhouse expertise, experience of Indian industry, intellectual capabilities of Indian academia and research institutions along with cutting edge technologies available with international agencies.
Mangalyaan-2 (MOM 2)
ISRO’s ambitious sequel to its successful Mars mission, Mars Orbiter Mission 2 (MOM 2) — named Mangalyaan-2, is aimed at studying the surface, atmosphere, and climatic conditions of Mars.
This mission will equip the orbiter spacecraft with advanced scientific instruments, including a hyperspectral camera, magnetometer, and radar.
According to ISRO, Mangalyaan-2 mission is a testament to India’s expanding prowess in planetary exploration.
X-ray Polarimeter Satellite
X-ray Polarimeter Satellite or XPoSat is the first dedicated polarimetry mission of India to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.
ISRO says the spacecraft will carry two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit.
ISRO’s PSLV-C58 carrying an X-ray polarimeter satelite and 10 other satelites lifts off from the spaceposrt of Sriharikota on Jan. 1, 2024.(IANSXISRO)
According to the Indian space agency, the primary payload POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) will measure the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) in medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin, while the XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will give spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV.
Venus Orbiter Mission (Shukrayaan-1)
ISRO, under the Venus Orbiter Mission, plans to launch Shukrayaan-1, a spacecraft destined to orbit Venus for five years.
According to ISRO sources, this venus orbiter mission, scheduled for December 2024 or early 2025, aims to study the atmosphere of Venus.
This mission will be India’s first foray into exploring the mysteries of the second planet from the Sun, reports said.
An alarmed Japan, South Korea report Pyongyang's second ballistic missile launch into East Sea
Hypersonic missiles are designed to travel at more than five times the speed of sound on irregular and low-altitude trajectories…reports Asian Lite News
North Korea leader Kim Jong Un attended and oversaw the test launch of a brand new intermediate-range sold fuel missile that carried a hypersonic warhead on Tuesday, the country’s official state media was cited as saying by Kyodo News
According to Korean Central News Agency Kim Jong Un, attended the test launch of the solid fuel-powered Hwasong-16 missile in a Pyongyang suburb and claimed all missiles his country has developed are now based on solid fuel technology and are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan on Tuesday, with the projectile falling into waters outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, according to the Japanese Defence Ministry. The South Korean military said the projectile might have been a hypersonic weapon.
Hypersonic missiles are designed to travel at more than five times the speed of sound on irregular and low-altitude trajectories.
Solid-fuel missiles do not need to be filled up with fuel before being launched like liquid-fuel missiles do, making it harder for other countries to detect launch preparations and enhancing their pre-emptive strike and retaliatory capability, Kyodo News reported.
North Korea said in January it had test-fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile carrying a hypersonic warhead, and said last month that it had successfully conducted a grounded test of a solid-fuel jet engine for an intermediate-range hypersonic missile.
During Tuesday’s test, the hypersonic warhead reached its first peak at a height of 101.1 kilometers and the second at 72.3 km while making a 1,000-km-long flight as scheduled to accurately hit waters in the Sea of Japan, according to KCNA. The Japanese Defence Ministry had said the missile flew over 650 km.
The test-fire had no adverse effect on the security of neighbouring countries, the news agency said.
According to the Kyodo News report, Kim expressed great satisfaction over the test-fire result and said his country has perfected the project for “putting all the tactical, operational and strategic missiles with various ranges on solid-fueled, warhead-controlled and nuclear warhead-carrying basis.”
He noted the current “epoch-making success serves as a special event in which a great change will be brought about in enhancing the nuclear war deterrent” of North Korea’s armed forces, according to KCNA. (ANI)
Josef Aschbacher said, “What India is accomplishing in space – especially in Lunar exploration – is astonishing.”
Director General of European Space Agency (ESA), Josef Aschbacher, heaped praise on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for its recent successful launches and said that India’s accomplishments in space and especially in lunar exploration is ‘astonishing’.
Aschbacher posted an appreciation post on X, after ESA hosted its 323rd Council meeting in Paris which was attended by the ISRO Chairman, S Somanath.
ESA Member States met in Paris, France, for the 323rd session of the ESA Council on March 26 and 27, 2024.
The European scientist also underscored that the significance of strengthening ties and deepening cooperation with international partners cannot be underestimated.
“What India is accomplishing in space – especially in Lunar exploration – is astonishing. We hosted ISRO’s Chairman, Dr. S. Somanath at ESA Council today. It was a milestone occasion for Delegates to learn more about current and future plans for ESA-ISRO cooperation,” he posted on X.
“The strategic importance of strengthening ties and deepening cooperation with international partners cannot be underestimated,” he added.
Additionally, Astronaut Thomas Pesquet also shared about meeting with the ISRO chairman and the ESA Director and said that the they witnessed enthusiastic exchanges between the two leaders.
“Very proud to welcome ISRO chairman Shri. S. Somanath at ESA HQ in Paris yesterday, with our director Josef Aschbacher. Enthusiastic exchanges between the two men, and abounding cooperation opportunities between the two organisations. Let’s co-travel to space together!,” he posted on X.
In a stellar display of prowess, India soared to new heights in 2023 with the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the Moon and the launch of Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission.
These milestones not only secured India’s standing in the global space economy but also fueled the engines for the private space sector in India.
On August 23, 2023, the Chandrayaan-3 mission created history with the successful soft landing on Moon’s surface.
India is now the first nation to reach near the Moon’s unexplored South Pole and ranks amongst the top four nations to carry out a soft landing on the lunar surface.
Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission and the second attempt to land softly on the moon’s surface. It’s part of the Chandrayaan program, a series of missions developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to explore the moon. The mission consists of a Vikram lunar lander, a Pragyan lunar rover, and a propulsion module that carries the spacecraft from Earth orbit to lunar orbit.
Additionally, in a major milestone, India placed its first dedicated solar mission, the Aditya-L1 spacecraft, in the Halo orbit. The country went gaga over this historic achievement, especially since this mission came at the back of India’s moon landing, the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Aditya-L1 reached Lagrange Point L1 which is about 1.5 million km from earth. The PSLV-C57.1 rocket carrying the Aditya-L1 orbiter lifted off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, in September. (ANI)
Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX this week successfully launched the third test flight of its 400-foot-tall Starship rocket, along with the Heavy booster.
Elon Musk on Saturday said that the huge starship Starship rocket, that aims to help land astronauts on the Moon in 2026, will be on Mars within five years.
Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX this week successfully launched the third test flight of its 400-foot-tall Starship rocket, along with the Heavy booster.
“Starship will be on Mars within 5 years,” the billionaire posted on X. The Tesla CEO also posted some images of the Starship rocket, saying “wild that this is a real picture”.
“Pretty much anything that you can do on the ground should be done on the ground. But for warming up Mars, reflectors made on Phobos & Deimos (Mars’ two moons) could be a good way to go,” he further said.
Starship is the world’s most powerful rocket and will be used to send humans to the Moon and then eventually to Mars.
Starship consists of a giant first-stage booster called Super Heavy and a 50 metres upper-stage spacecraft known as Starship.
Musk eventually plans to shift at least one million people to Mars. “We are mapping out a game plan to get a million people to Mars,” Musk wrote in a recent post on X.
“Civilisation only passes the single-planet Great Filter when Mars can survive even if Earth supply ships stop coming,” he added. “One day, a trip to Mars will be like a flight across the country”. He also aims to build a base on the Moon.
“Humanity should have a moon base, cities on Mars and be out there among the stars,” the X owner said.
“Lift-off for ‘Owl Night Long’, our 45th Electron mission!” Rocket Lab wrote in a post on X…reports Asian Lite News
American aerospace manufacturer and launch service provider Rocket Lab on Tuesday carried a commercial radar-imaging satellite by Japanese company Synspective into the low Earth orbit.
The ‘Owl Night Long’ mission carrying Synspective’s StriX-3 satellite lifted off at 11.03 EDT (8.33 p.m. IST) from the Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, the company said.
“Lift-off for ‘Owl Night Long’, our 45th Electron mission!” Rocket Lab wrote in a post on X.
Tokyo-based Synspective is a satellite data solutions provider. The StriX-3 satellites, named after owls, were launched aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket.
It is part of Synspective’s constellation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites that come with a foldable antenna, increased power, and advanced thermal control.
Even with reduced size, the SAR satellites could achieve imaging capabilities that are comparable to large SAR satellites.
The ‘Owl Night Long’ mission is Rocket Lab’s fourth launch for the constellation operator following launches in 2020 and 2022, the company said.
The maiden flight test of Agni-V, India’s longest range ballistic missile with a “range of more than 5000 kms” was conducted in April 2012 and has since been tested multiple times…reports Asian Lite News
In a major technological breakthrough and building in redundancy into the country’s nuclear weapons programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced the successful test firing of Agni-V ballistic missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under Mission Divyastra. The MIRV technology means a single missile can carry multiple warheads.
The flight test named Mission Divyastra was carried out from Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha, DRDO said in a statement adding, “Various telemetry and radar stations tracked and monitored multiple re-entry vehicles. The mission accomplished the designed parameters.”
“Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology,” Mr. Modi announced on social media platform ‘X’. Noting that with this test India has joined the select group of nations who have MIRV capability, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh too joined the PM in congratulating team DRDO.
This technology will ensure that a single missile can deploy multiple war heads at different locations, Government sources said noting that with Mission Divyastra, Government sources said. “This system is equipped with indigenous avionics systems and high accuracy sensor packages, which ensured that the re-entry vehicles reached the target points within the desired accuracy. The capability is an enunciator of India’s growing technological prowess,” sources said. “The project director is a woman and has significant women contribution.”
The maiden flight test of Agni-V, India’s longest range ballistic missile with a “range of more than 5000 kms” was conducted in April 2012 and has since been tested multiple times. It has also been canistered, which improves ease of handling and operation. Agni-V uses a three-stage solid fuelled engine and is capable of striking targets at ranges of over 5,000 Kms and can reach most parts of China. DRDO officials had stated over the last several years that MIRV tech was under development.
The first flight test of Agni V under Mission Divyastra marks a very important milestone in India’s march towards greater geo-strategic role and capabilities, President Darupadi Murmu said on ‘X’. “The state-of-the-art technology developed indigenously is a firm step in the direction of India becoming Atmanirbhar,” Ms. Murmu said congratulating Team DRDO for this major achievement.
Noting that as China undergoes a rapid expansion and modernization of its nuclear arsenal, today’s test shows India will not stand still, Dr. Clary added, “The question is the pace and breadth of China, India, and Pakistan’s combined arms efforts and whether the region–and India specifically–can avoid a costly arms race.”
Modi lauds first flight test of MIRV tech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lauded Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of the indigenously developed Agni-5 missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.
The Prime Minister praised the achievements of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) scientists for their successful execution of Mission Divyastra.
Taking to the micro-blogging site X, the Prime Minister posted, “Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missiles with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.”
The inclusion of Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology in the Agni-5 missile enhances its effectiveness in delivering multiple warheads to different targets with precision, thereby augmenting India’s deterrence capabilities and strengthening national security.
An MIRV payload involves a single missile carrying four to six nuclear warheads, each programmed to hit a separate target.
According to government sources, India today tested Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of an indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with MIRV technology.
This will ensure that a single missile can deploy multiple warheads at different locations.
According to government sources, the project director is a woman and has a significant women’s contribution. With the test of Mission Divyastra, India has joined the select group of nations that have MIRV capability.
This system is equipped with indigenous Avionics systems and high-accuracy sensor packages, which ensure that the re-entry vehicles reach the target points with the desired accuracy. The capability is an enunciator of India’s growing technological prowess, sources added.
Rajnath congratulates DRDO
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday congratulated the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the maiden flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.
In a post on X, Rajnath Singh said, “India today successfully tested Mission Divyastra – the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology and joined the select group of nations who have MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry) capability. Congratulations to our DRDO scientists and the entire team for this exceptional success. India is proud of them!”
The four Indian astronauts were trained at Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia….reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday the names of the four astronauts who will be part of India’s first human space flight program, Gaganyaan, slated to be launched in 2024-25.
The four chosen Indian Air Force pilots are Group Captain Prashanth Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla. The four astronauts were trained at Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to Kerala, reviewed the progress of Gaganyaan mission and bestowed ‘astronaut wings’ to the astronaut-designates at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. The Gaganyaan mission is India’s first human space flight program for which extensive preparations are underway at various ISRO centres.
“India’s success in the space sector is sowing the seeds of scientific temperament in the country’s young generation,” PM Modi said in his address at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
“As India is set to become the top-3 economy of the world, at the same time the country’s Gaganyaan is also going to take our space sector to a new height.”
As per ISRO, Gaganyaan project envisages demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching crew of three members to an orbit of 400 km for a three days mission and bring them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters.
The pre-requisites for Gaganyaan mission include development of many critical technologies including human rated launch vehicle for carrying crew safely to space, Life Support System to provide an earth like environment to crew in space, crew emergency escape provision and evolving crew management aspects for training, recovery and rehabilitation of crew.
Various precursor missions are planned for demonstrating the Technology Preparedness Levels before carrying out the actual Human Space Flight mission. These demonstrator missions include Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT), Pad Abort Test (PAT) and Test Vehicle (TV) flights. Safety and reliability of all systems will be proven in unmanned missions preceding manned mission.
LVM3 rocket – The well proven and reliable heavy lift launcher of ISRO, is identified as the launch vehicle for Gaganyaan mission.
Human safety is of paramount importance in Gaganyaan mission. In order to ensure the same, various new technologies comprising of Engineering systems and Human centric systems are being developed and realised.
In 2023, in a stellar display of prowess, India soared to new heights with the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the Moon and the successful launch of Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission.
These milestones not only secured India’s standing in the global space economy but also fueled the engines for the private space sector in India.
Among other feats India now aims for setting up ‘Bharatiya Antariksha Station’ by 2035, and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040. (ANI)
People Celebrate in Group Captain Nair’s Hometown
Celebrations broke out across Pazhya gramam at Nenmara in Kerala’s Palakkad – the hometown of Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair – after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the IAF officer name as commander of the country’s ambitous Gaganyaan Mission.
The crowds gathered outside Nair’s house and started to celebrate amid sloganeering and fireworks.
Nair’s parents had gone to ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) centre to listen to PM Modi.
Earlier, PM Modi applauded Nair and also presented an astronaut’s badge to him.
Group Captain Nair (47) completed his schooling from Kuwait where his father worked. Following their return to India, Nair joined the Chinmaya Mission School at Palakkad.
Nair joined 93rd NDA course in Khadakwasla and then entered 163rd Pilot’s Course at the Air Force Academy from where he passed out with flying colours and bagging the ‘Sword of Honour’ given to the best outgoing cadet.
Nair was commissioned on June 19, 1999.
Nair’s long-time neighbour, an elderly woman, could not hide her happiness and came out to greet the crowd who gathered outside following the news of Nair.
“I have known Nair since the age of 4. He is a humble and polite person. We last saw him when he came home on leave, last year. He is a blessed man and his parents have already prayed for him,” said the elderly woman, who could not hide her tears of joy.
Nenmara MLA K. Babu was also among the crowd who were celebrating. “This is a huge honor for Nenmara. Each one of us is excited and proud that Nair has got this rare honour,” Babu said.
The celebrating people are also planning to give Nair a grand reception whenever he visits his hometown after his professional duties get over.
This marks the first American soft landing on the lunar surface since the Apollo era in 1972….reports Asian Lite News
The Odysseus spacecraft from the United States successfully landed on the moon on Thursday (local time), becoming the first American spacecraft to achieve the feat in more than 50 years.
With this, Intuitive Machines (IM) — the commercial venture behind the Nova-C lander — has become the first private venture to carry out a successful landing on the lunar surface.
This marks the first American soft landing on the lunar surface since the Apollo era in 1972.
Notably, this landing comes months after India’s Chandrayaan-3 lander, which became the first spacecraft from the country to safely reach the lunar surface in August 2023.
India made a soft landing on the lunar South Pole with a robotic vehicle for the first time in the 21st century.
“I know this was a nail-biter, but we are on the surface, and we are transmitting,” Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus just announced on the webcast. “Welcome to the moon.”
Although, the exact state of the lander is not yet clear, but the company has confirmed it has made contact with the moon.
The landing site of Odysseus is near Malapert A, an impact crater near the moon’s south pole.
The site is “(A) relatively flat and safe region is within the heavily cratered southern highlands on the side of the Moon visible from Earth,” according to NASA.
Moments before landing, the spacecraft started troubleshooting communication, after the passing of the expected landing time. But, an Intuitive Machines flight controller confirmed that the lander is “not dead yet” and they have received a “faint signal”.
The US remains the only country to have put humans on the lunar surface, most recently in 1972 with the Apollo 17 mission.
The space agency said it chose this landing site for Intuitive Machines’ first mission because it wanted to learn more about the lunar environment and how communications function in this area.
NASA wants to scout the lunar south pole because the space agency believes it’s the best location to set up a future astronaut base.
Meawhile, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Friday congratulated the US company Intuitive Machines on the moon rover landing.
“After troubleshooting communications, flight controllers have confirmed Odysseus is upright and starting to send data. Right now, we are working to downlink the first images from the lunar surface,” Intuitive Machines posted on X.
To which Musk congratulated, saying, “Congrats on landing on the moon!”. (with inputs from ANI)
